Dee Dee's Diner running like herself again

appears to be back on track after a handy allowance win at Sunland on Jan. 10, an effort that earned her the starting highweight assignment in Sunday's $50,000 Czaria Handicap at Sunland Park. The six-furlong race for fillies and mares lured a field of six.

A 6-year-old mare trained by Henry Dominguez, Dee Dee's Diner had things going well last fall. She had a strong campaign in Southern California, in which she won 3 of 7 starts from January to August. She went to Zia Park, where she finished second in the Zia Distaff on Oct. 8 and then scored a three-length win in the Lady's Secret on Nov. 14. She then went off as the 4-5 favorite in the Dec. 22 Bold Ego Handicap, but was never a factor and finished eighth, well behind Red Lifesaver and winner Culpeper Moon, two of her foes here Sunday.

Dee Dee's Diner returned in the Jan. 10 allowance sprint here and finished well to win by a length. Ken Tohill rides at 121 pounds.

Red Lifesaver comes here in sharp form, having finished second in four straight races for owners Kirk and Judy Robison and trainer Steve Asmussen. He has tactical speed and figures in the hunt all the way around. Brian Peck rides at 119 pounds.

also carries 119 pounds. She does her best running in the lane and was last seen rallying to be third behind Dee Dee's Diner in the Jan. 10 allowance. Carlos Madeira rides.

is improving for owner Burton Kinerk and trainer Patti Shirley. She prompted the pace and gamely held on to win an allowance race here Jan 29 at 33-1, upsetting Red Lifesaver and another Sunday foe, Brooksidedancer, who came right back to win. Joe Martinez rides at 117 pounds.